Hola everyone! Wow, I haven't posted in a LONG time. Things are going well for us. We leave for Spain next Tuesday! For those of you who don't know, we're scouting out a location there to see if it will be a good site for a new youth hostel. If you want to receive updates from us, just email me or comment with your mailing address and we'd love to keep you informed with what God's doing.

The boys are doing well. My last post, Ryan had just been born. And now he's already 7 months old. Crazy! He's sitting up, almost crawling, and laughing a ton. Brennan is almost 2 and a half, and he is saying so many words and loving life. It's been so cute to watch him grow up into a little boy, and also a little sad that he already is becoming more and more independent. When they're little you can't wait until the time you don't have to do everything for them, but when they start doing some things by themselves it feels like tomorrow they'll be off to college and not needing you at all anymore...and they were just born!

Just when I get the chance to sit down and update my xanga Ryan wakes up from his nap. So I should go. Hey, drop us a line and let us know how you're doing!

Well, finally we get to post about the arrival of little Ryan Swanson Walter! He was born as planned on Friday, January 21, at 8:18am. He was 8 pounds 2 ounces, and 19.5 inches long. The surgery went so much better this time than last time. I guess because I didn't have to go through 22 hours of labor first! The doctor made the incision at 8:12am and the baby came out at 8:18am. I was alert the whole time and Nate and I made small talk with all the people that were in the operating room. The doctors were all talking about the 16 pound baby that was born a few days previously, in Brazil. Nate cut the cord this time and got to hold the baby almost right away. Last time we just got a glimpse of Brennan as he was whisked away, and neither of us got to hold him until 3 hours after he was born. This time was a lot better, and Nate even said that he was enjoying this experience a lot more than the last time.

We went into the hospital with two names and once again, didn't name the baby until well after he was born. We finally went with Ryan, a name I've always liked, and Swanson, which is Nate's mom's maiden name. There are no males to carry on the Swanson last name, so we figured we'd at least honor it with a middle name. Nate's granddads' names are Wilbur and Wilmer, so we had some fun with Nate's family and told them when we called them, "For the baby's middle name we combined Wilbur and Wilmer and his middle name is Wilmber." Nate's mom said, "What?? How do you spell that?" When Nate finally told her he was joking she said, "Oh, good!!"

Well, this post is getting long so I'll write some more later. Here's a pic of the two boys together.

So our #2 is due in 4 days. It's a bit surreal. All of a sudden things like ironing have become urgent, even though we haven't ironed in about 3 years. Literally. Nate's mom is in town and today she took Brennan over to his cousins' house to play so I had the morning all to myself. What did I do? Ironed 5 of Nate's shirts that have been sitting in the closet, unworn, for 2 years because we never would drag out the ironing board. So this time around we're channeling our baby energy a little differently, running around and getting things done around the house, instead of actually setting up baby stuff.

Well, we'll keep you all posted! Friday is the big c-section day, and hopefully we'll post all the details after we get home Monday or Tuesday. Take care everyone!

Congrats to Mark and Brenda on the birth of little Madelyn Joy. She is so cute.

Merry Christmas everyone! We've been busy with family since Saturday, December 18. The day after Christmas I had the whole house and the whole day to myself, since Nate took Brennan up to his (Nate's) grandparents' farm for the day. I took out clothes for the new baby and organized our house. It's so funny because before we had Brennan, I would have been like, "What am I going to do all day alone?? Nate, don't leave me!" But now that I spend all my days with Brennan, I was so excited about a day alone without any caretaking responsibilities! Nate's parents stayed overnight at the farm and kept Brennan with them, so Nate and I had a nice long date day this past Monday. Ate breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts, watched Ocean's Twelve, and then ate lunch at BD Mongolian's. A very nice time.  

Well, we still have family in so I have to keep this short! Take care, everyone and have a blessed New Year's.

Currently Watching VeggieTales - Josh and the Big Wall see related

Well, while the little Chinese Viking is watching his VeggieTales I thought I'd update you all. Where to start? Not that there's too much going on, but it's been a while since I posted. Our c-section is scheduled for January 21!! It's literally right around the corner, and then there's going to be a new person here PERMANENTLY! Scary. I don't often write in caps but the gravity of this situation deems it necessary. I don't look forward to the actual surgery and recovery, but I am getting more excited to meet the little one. Nate, just like when we found out we were pregnant with Brennan, has said about this second one: "I'm not not excited." Oh my. But he is a good dad. I think we both just look forward to the time where having two kids feels normal.

I read a book that I liked: I Capture the Castle. Cute. Then watched the DVD. Pretty good, but of course the book is better. I guess I say that about everything.

On another note, I have become completely addicted to ebay. Who knew there was so much stuff out there that I wanted/ needed? Not to bore you all, but I've already bought a little travel Bible, VeggieTales books for Brennan, shoes, a Christmas ornament, and 2 Mary Kay Satin Hands sets for only 7.99 each! Amazing. We also bought Brennan a stuffed Pal (from the Arthur books and cartoon) for when the baby comes. He loves Pal.

Well, VeggieTales is over and Nate and Brennan are upstairs. Brennan has just yelled, "Mom!" down the stairs so I am summoned to join them. Take care, everyone! College students, we can't wait to see you over your break!!